7 News Belize

PUP Start Long Journey On Road To Reform
posted (September 29, 2016)
Now, in a situation like that one where there is expected to be an easy majority supporting Rocke's motion, not even a 13th Senator could swing things against the government. But the 13th Senator could meaningfully tip the balance of power in the Senate, and that's why the PUP has committed to it in a Good Governance platform that it issued today to coincide with the 66th anniversary of the party's founding. Now for the PUP which usually holds events at its party headquarters - this was a big step up - they rented out the largest conference room at the Biltmore and invited a cross section of party supporters and dignitaries. It's a major platform initiative, but it comes less than a year after the most recent general election. Party Leader John Briceno explained that the vision of good governance is something his party wants to work on continuously:...

Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"If we consider all that has taken place in our nation, there can be no better time than the present to layout our plans and offer real solutions on how we will govern this nation. What Belize needs more than ever is not some tough talking prime minister, but a leader who can unite people to strengthen institutions, manage our development and build Belize. We believe the time has come to re-establish a credible and effective framework for good governance. It is time for governance that respects the rule of law as it is enshrined in the Belize constitution. Meaningful and effective governance must result in actions that reflect our values. Our governance must be based on a commitment to honesty that goes beyond what we say and its reflection be seen to all that we do. As leader of the People's United Party, I am happy to introduce to you this initiative. It is rooted in our sincere commitment to a meaningful partnership with every Belizean for the effective governance of this nation must be a shared responsibility."

And while his prepared remarks were progressive, in real terms, is a wary electorate still seduced by sweet words? The past 20 years of governance have been sobering lessons in "realpolitik" - and we asked Bricneo what makes his pledges for good governance credible:...

Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"We need to start the discussion from now. I think it is very important for us to be able to have an open, honest and frank discussion with the Belizean people. We don't want to be seen that one month before the elections we're quickly writing things that will look pretty on a paper and then once we get into government we forget it. We as politicians recognize that there's a frustration and cynicism within our citizens which is what we probably earned that for people to feel that way. The only way we can change that is by having an open and frank discussion. A discussion that will be long enough so that by the time we get into government we have a blue print as to what are the we're going to take to ensure that we have better government governance."

Jules Vasquez, 7News
"Sir aren't you a part of this sort of expectation fatigue. You've been in government, you've spent when the PUP we elected in 98', it was on a great bounty of promise as well and there are many who would say that your administration in the ministry of natural resources was not perhaps representative of the highest standards of good governance. Your critics would say that, so you are as much as a part of the problem which you complain about."

Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"What would you say Jules? You remember coming to my office and you see that I dealt with everybody as fairly as I could possibly do. Remember during my time we issued out over 65,000 leases and titles, I am sure you can find one or two or five or ten that you can question. but when you look at what we were doing in that ministry, how we were restructuring that ministry the way we do business where the minister does not have to be involved in anything, I was the one that stopped that."

Now, some of what was proposed and put in writing for today's presentation is indeed progressive. It proposes for example that discretionary powers would be removed form ministers, that a fixed date will be implemented for general elections, and that all bids and awards of contracts will be placed on the internet so that, quote, "the public will know what was purchased from whom - not only the company but also ultimate beneficiary owners of the company and at what price." End quote. That's a serious threat to the gravy train that greases governments and political parties and Briceno conceded that expectations would have to change:..

Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"I don't think that it is going to be too restrictive. When we talk about curtailing the powers of the minister, it does not mean that we're going to change the law that we will prevent the minister from doing his or her job. It simply means that that clause that we have that the minister can do almost any and everything, we need to curtail that, but the minister must also have the necessary powers to carry out his or her functions."

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